Medal of Honor recipient recognized during Black History Month

February is African-American History Month, recognizing among others those who have worked to protect our civil rights and liberties.
One of those brave men the Department of Defense Live has highlighted is a Medal of Honor recipient, Army Sgt. William H. Carney, of the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry Regiment.
“Of the 3,498 service members who have received the Medal of Honor throughout U.S. history, only 88 have been black,” the Department of Defense said.
Born in Virginia as a slave, Carney served in the Civil War. In 1863, he enlisted in the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry Regiment, which was the “first official black unit recruited for the Union in the north.” The unit's service was memorialized in the 1989 movie "Glory," starring Matthew Broderick and Denzel Washington.
During battle, Carney’s regiment was hit with gunfire when it retreated to the mountains. Carney, severely injured and battling death, held on and protected “one of the United States’ greatest symbols during the Civil War -- the American flag." 
Carney never let the flag fall or touch the battleground. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery, will and love for county on July 18, 1863.